Every year, November slips in just as the last crimson colored leaves have surrendered to the ground, and slips out just as quietly with the first dusting of white snow. It’s the pearl greymonth, a calmness teetering between the warmth and vibrancy of October and the winter wonderland of December.
The skies are still and the fires burn, and everything seems to be put on pause for the time being. Life just, well, slips by…if you let it. November may just be the most understated month of the year. We have passed the frenzy of Halloween, nursed our post-BOX hangovers and checked off our busy fall to-do-lists. Now, it is the time to find contentment. It’s time for gratitude and a time to sit back, self-love, and enjoy doing very little. These cozy weekends during the off-season offer a unique time to relax, refresh and rejuvenate on your favorite island.
Here are six ways to stay snug in November and enjoy the serenity of Nantucket.
1. Bewitched at Bookworks
November is a month for reading, and there is no better spot to cozy up with a good read than Nantucket Bookworks. The bookstore recently had their grand reopening and boasts renovations such as an expanded children’s section, an impressive (as always!) collection of titles and genres, and even a new café & juice bar from ACKfresh to nourish your mind, body and soul. At Nantucket Bookworks, there is a little nook for everyone – from nautical reads to history to young adult fiction and bestsellers. The walls are lined high with wooden bookshelves, and whimsical rugs and unique artwork decorate the entirety of the shop. It is the perfect, charming little place to spend a lazy afternoon getting lost within the pages of your favorite book – or discovering new titles. So, drown yourself in a sea of adventure at Nantucket Bookworks and let the words fill your mind with wonder.
2. Cute & Cozy Queequegs
Eat, drink & be cozy. How could you not when Queequegs is, quite possibly, the most delightful (and snug!) little restaurant on island. Inspired by Melville’s character from Moby Dick, the restaurant brings this nautical spirit to life and is the very essence of quintessential Nantucket. Wooden whale carvings adorn the walls and the warm bar scene and cozy lighting makes this the perfect spot for a romantic dinner. The ambiance truly can’t be beat, tucked away in a quiet spot within the heart of historic downtown, and the cuisine is both fresh, local and delicious. The menu boasts island delicacy’s such as seasonal scallop specials, pan seared halibut and hearty steaks. Yum! Plus, another one of the best perks of visiting the island off-season, reservations are not required, so step on in and get a table for two….don’t forget to save room for dessert. ♥
3. Seek Sanctuary in The Yoga Room
Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at anytime and be yourself. – Herman Hesse
Step into The Yoga Room, and an immediate sense of calmness inundates your mind and body. This November, we are loving all the revitalizing and healing properties of meditative yoga. Special classes such as Restorative Yoga and Yin Yoga focus on the inner self by promoting mindful breathing and gaining a greater sense of one’s body. As November is the month of self-love and relaxation, these gentle classes are just what the doctor ordered. Both Restorative and Yin yoga help with stress reduction and are open to everyone, no prior experience needed. Treat yourself to a class this November and discover these amazing benefits for yourself. Namaste. ♥
4. Create It at the AAN
With the everyday rush of our busy lives, it is important to take a step back every now and then and reflect upon what we are most grateful for. With thanksgiving right around the corner, now is the perfect time to recognize all of our #blessings – whether our family, our health, our friends or even our furry, four legged friends. Life is beautiful and ’tis the season to let your loved ones know just how much they mean to you. Thankfully, the Artists Association of Nantucket (AAN) has a lot going on this winter, with a series of holiday workshops from wearable poetry to printed holiday cards. These workshops are all about the little things – using decorative paper, vintage prints and a little ribbon to create a lovely piece of art and personalize your holiday gift making. The Nantucket blACKbook’s most recent Girls Night In, cohosted by the AAN, featured a brief tutorial with Mary Emery on the art of letter writing and designing your own thank you cards. In addition to sipping some refreshing juice samples from @thelemonpress and some innovative cocktails mixed together by Anna of @theproprietors, we got down with some creative DIYs and crafted our very own set of cards & envelopes. So, send your loved ones some good ole’ fashioned snail mail this year and let them know how much they mean to you. ♥
5. Sip & Savor at Épernay
November is the color of red. Deep burgundies, plum, mauve and mulberry. The colors of love and, yes, we are talking about our love for red wine.☺ We especially love sipping these fine wines at Épernay and learning all about their merlots and blanc de noirs from vineyards across the globe. La, la, la, love. Épernay, a locally owned and operated Wine and Spirits shop on Nantucket, hosts (free!) wine tastings on Thursdays from 5PM to 7PM. The staff is both friendly and highly knowledgable, and will point out the best wines for you to take home and enjoy over the holidays. Imagine this: cozying up by the fireplace with a good book, fuzzy blankets and a glass of wonderfully warm and spiced mulled wine. Yes, please. So, this November, keep calm and drink wine….then carry on into the winter holidays. ♥
6. BAYS for DAYS…
Fall on nantucket is the season of bay scalloping. I’ve already learned (as a newbie on Nantucket this fall) that October is chock-full of island locals heading out to the harbors to collect these little critters. Anyone on the island can purchase a scalloping permit and take part in this unique, beloved Nantucket tradition. November marks the start of commercial scalloping season, meaning all of these delicious (and authentically local!) delicacies start appearing as specials on the menu of all our favorite island restaurants. These countless bushels of scallops each year come right in time for the winter holidays, whether eating out or home-cooking. Check back in later this month for an insider’s look on our own scalloping experience out in Madaket Harbor, and our 5 favorite dishes for the holidays. ♥
meet our blogger!
Alex Barlowe grew up in a small town in the beautiful Green Mountain State. She graduated from Gettysburg College in the spring of 2014 where she studied English with a writing concentration. She has spent the past two years working in fashion and marketing and has a serious passion for editing. She enjoys traveling, new adventures, coffee and all things sparkly. You can email Alex at alexandrabarlowe1@gmail.com.
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